Sandy Bibler carried in the Special Olympics torch to start the tournament at Logansport this past weekend. (Photos provided)

LOGANSPORT — Special Olympics Indiana Kosciusko County athletes competed in the state Area 5 Sectional basketball tournament held on Saturday, March 19, at Logansport High School. Local athlete, Sandy Bibler, carried the Special Olympics Torch as part of the opening ceremonies to start the competition.

In the team basketball single elimination tournament, the Kosciusko County Panthers won by forfeit over the Cass County Kats in their first game. In the division championship game, the Panthers were defeated by the Howard County Red Kats 35–8. The Kosciusko County Jaguars were eliminated by the Fulton County Dream Team, 46-10.

In the Skills Competition, local athletes placed as follows in their respective divisions:
First Place: Kathleen Shourek, Crystal Redman.
Second Place: Sharon Singleton, Brian Bierly.
Third Place: Jamie DenHartog, Mary Bicknell, Karen McLaughlin, Sandy Bibler.
Fourth Place: Jose Medina, Martha Sullivan, Robert Svinarich Angela Millspaugh.
Fifth Place: Michelle Ousley.

Becky Walls wanted to thank all the fans and volunteers and the following coaches for their assistance this year:  Jamahl Jones, Dave Miller, Joe Baranowski, Kristi Carter and John Bonitati.

Special Olympics Kosciusko County will be starting track & field and bocce with practice beginning Tuesday, March 22, at Dewamac Park in Warsaw.